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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Burial or Disposal, Using the Correct Word

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers
Magazine

Docked in San Diego across the harbor from the USS Midway
Aircraft Carrier, sits the aircraft carrier known as the USS CVN 70. Also known
as the USS Carl Vinson. On July 2nd
of 2014 we had the occasion to dine on the flight deck of the Midway and while
doing so noticed the USS CVN 70. I asked about the ship and was told it was the
ship that Osama bin Laden’s body was carried to for identification after his
capture. I was also told it was from that ship his body was disposed of.

I found it strange to hear the word “disposed of” used in
place of “burial at sea”. Although the official statement is he was giving an
Islamic ceremony and burial at sea, the term I heard used several times was
“disposed of”. The event occurred and the terminology remains to be determined
but what is noted is the choice of terminology used and by whom.

You must note that San Diego is a military town and I can
understand their, or anyone’s, disdain for the dead terrorist and the acts he
committed. I fully understand the refusal to acknowledge even the slightest
implication of honor towards the terrorist by using the term “burial at sea”.
The very thought of giving him such respect is hard to stomach for many, thus
the disrespect shown through verbiage.

Words like actions reveal much to us. Someone ignored,
snubbed, dismissed can be done so by either word or deed. As an example in the
paragraph above you may have noted I never mentioned the name of “the
terrorist” only the title given him. Also note that the absence of words, his
name, also can show the same regard as the absence of actions. As writers we
must be able to use our words carefully.

When deciding on our words we must decide the message we are
sending. The ones receiving it as well as the character speaking it aid us in
determining the words. Will they want to hear disposal or burial at sea? Will
it make a difference in their determination of the subject of conversation or
the one bringing the message? It all could make an impact on our writing being understood
in the way we want. Choose your words accordingly and your writing will be
received as you have presented it.

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